The Sterley’s of Oakland Park, SAREJESS [best e reader for epub .txt] 📗

rose and crossed to a small table upon which to Snifters stood ready a decanter of the finest crystal stood filled to the brim with the nectar of amber. Only the finest French cognac would do for his guest who was one of the foremost persons of quality and style. For his royal guest was none other then His highness Prince Fredrick the duke of York.

The knock that came to the door was expected his lordships butler announced the presence of his most esteemed guest.

The prince once he entered the room smiled for he was delighted once more to find at home his friend of former days with a snifter proffered towards him “Glad to see your highness is well” remarked the Earl. “Indeed most well and most happy to have recived your note,” replied the prince taking a seat.

“So there is to be a duel?” said the prince, “I find that too many gentlemen of the lower nobility seem to find there honor offended and demanding satisfaction. When there better put them in there place” he continued.

“It seems your highness that Sir Thomas is an out and out rogue had he but heard correctly my question in the house was a fair one,” remarked the earl as he raised the snifter to his lips.

“I have never had occasion to have any dealings with the man before what occasioned this attack?” asked the Prince. For he had not been in the house upon the day in question and had only heard of the matter second hand.

Highness the details are not difficult to follow pray allow me to enlighten you about two seasons ago he approached me to make advances on the behalf of his son for a commission; well I tried and added to the commission a small fee of three thousand pounds which he was unwilling or unable to pay. I then was obliged to invite him to my country seat for a little sport, while there he became involved in a domestic matter of a scalawag and rouge that was agitating for Catholic emancipation and for the lower order. His intervention was most unseemly the end result of which was the servant who had caused all the problems was taken away from my service by Sir Thomas I lost a dammed fine cook to boot in the event,“ said the Earl. ”Dammed inconsiderate and quite ungentlemanly of Sir Thomas I would say,“ said the Prince.

“This is most unseemly how a man with a title can behave in such an unfashionable way,” enquired the prince. ‘This letter I recived from Lady Ann his wife with the reply to my letter asking for a settlement of the matter of honor most extraordinary indeed the contents makes me wonder what domestic upheaval has occasioned his lady to write asking me an avowed enemy for a favor,“ said the Earl

Taking the letter the prince began to read, the concern upon his countenance growing with each new sentence that he read. “William my friend there is but one thing that you can do in this matter,” remarked the Prince

“Indeed I see it plainly I have been placed under an obligation by Lady Ann not only to settle the old matter but allow her to play her part in this new matter a ladies honor has been impinged and Sir Thomas must pay for his dalliances‘ with the Spanish woman who ever she is” said the Earl.

“I have always wanted to defend a ladies honor well it seems that I am to have my chance this confounded fellow Sir Thomas I believe is a great favorite among a number of naval gentlemen,” said The Prince. “Indeed Highness he has always been an agitator and one of those who seeks to better the lower order with promises of a better life, said the Earl ”I believe he had some part to play when the navy mutinied at the Nore. He been one of the few officers whose men did not send him ashore. Thus his roll was pivotal in bringing to an end the troubles in the navy the men look to him for leadership I have heard“ said the Prince. ”Indeed he has some qualities but he is also quite ungentlemanly,“ replied the Earl. ”William one has got to give him credit for his achievements, however I believe that one should never gain say ones betters in any matter of importance,“ remarked the Prince. ”As for your request I will be happy to stand as one of your seconds in this matter of honor“ said the prince. Highness for this I am most happy, remarked the Earl as he refilled the snifter in the Dukes hand. ”I dare say Sir Thomas has all the marks of a mushroom,“ said the duke. ”Indeed I would not be surprised if he was one,“ replied the Earl

Sir Thomas was addressing the members of his household all were listening with the greatest concern for the house was to receive a number of visitors of the best society.
“Although there exists a measure of animosity between the Earl of Waterford, I would remind you that this house had always extended a hand of hospitality to all guests. I warn you now and take note each and ever one of you that the Earl and his company are to be treated with the greatest respect and civility, he said

“These people of quality will be here as my guests and I expect that each and every one of you will do your utmost to make them at ease,” he continued. I want the best rooms in the house aired the bed linen changed and fresh, Ill not tolerate any discrepancy, is this understood?“ there was a mumble of assent from the gathered servants and household member’s. ”Pray Ruth,“ said Sir Thomas ”heed my words for upon you rests the greatest work for you are to prepare the chambers for his Lordship the Earl and another for his highness the Duke of York. Make sure that when you have completed your supervision of the staff that you inform me that I might check that all is in order for there coming,“ said Sir Thomas.

“I would be most displeased should any thing not be as it should be Ruth I therefore require of you that you do you utmost to make these chambers as comfortable as possible,” said Sir Thomas. “Yes master I will do my very best to please you may I ask am I to prepare the addition chamber for Lady Virginia or will Elizabeth be doing that?” Asked the maid “Not to worry about that Elizabeth has that well in hand replied Sir Thomas.


Chapter Twenty Two


The conveyances of the Duke of York and the Earl of Waterford were early upon the road on Wednesday morning, the gentlemen who frequented the vehicles as they made there way along the roads of Surrey were in a gay mood. For to them an outing to the country was just what they wished for. The duke was happy to have as his companion on the journey Virginia Lady Waterford, who had some what recovered from the loss of her betrothed. However her deepest wish now was to see some one pay for the death of the unfortunate young man for her it was not a matter of honor but a deep personal loss.

To the Earl it was a wound which he could bear for he had considered the connections that the young man could bring to his family and the position in society to which his daughter could have risen now the search for a suitable young man had to begin again from the start.

The arrived shortly before eleven to be greeted buy the entire household of Oakland Park the greetings between Hiss highness the Earl of Waterford and Sir Thomas were to say the least cold. Sir Thomas to his credit went out of his way to be the genial host, when the party had been settled in there chambers to every ones great satisfaction. The gentlemen enquired after any occasion for hunting to which Sir Thomas had great pleaser in obliging showing the Duke the gun room where the duke selected not with out consideration a weapon which much pleased Sir Thomas.

Thereafter the gentlemen proceeded to the ground sin search of deer and fowl. Returning late in the afternoon they deposited the bag for preparation by the kitchen servants. His lordship and the Earl of Waterford made much of Lady Ann his highness saying he had seldom met a woman with so much wit. While Sir Thomas found himself sitting ignored by his house guests.

The following morning Sir Thomas was out early to put in place things for the events of the following morning he did not have much occasion to worry as to what his difficult guests were up to He was of the mind that his wife would keep them entertained. He found much to keep him occupied during the day returning in the evening from Notheringay he spent a little time in there company before retiring to bed.

Rising early he was happy to see that Harry Watson had arrived during the night they made there breakfast on the remains of a cold chicken which had been left for this purpose. Upon enquiring as to the location of Lady Ann, he was informed that she has left half an hour earlier with the duke and the Earl. Sir Thomas was much put out at this news for he had wanted to wish her good day before setting out to the field of honor.

Sir Thomas and Harry made there way to the clearing in the wood which had previously been selected here he found the carriage of the Earl the nobleman and the prince were smoking a pipe while waiting for the arrival of Sir Thomas. The terms of the duel having previously been arranged there was now nothing more to do then the combatants and the seconds take the field of honor.

Sir Thomas was much surprised when Lady Ann stepped from the carriage and took the place of the second for his lordship. “Sir I must protest at this unseemly arrangement,” said Sir Thomas.

“Indeed sir I am under an obligation to Lady Ann for she requested that she stand as my second,” replied the Earl. “Very well then but I find it unbecoming,” said Sir Thomas.